Drama

Nicole Atkins is the 1st artist to be signed to Chris Isaak’s new Sun Records imprint Wicked Game Records and will release a record on the label, "Drama", on Friday, September 18th, 2026. It is the New Jersey bred, Nashville based musician’s 7th studio album and 1st all new full length release in over 6 years. The album’s 1st single, “When the Night Falls”, is out now.

“I got together with my old friend Emery Dobyns to write a song together”, Atkins says in a statement. “We had these chords, and the feeling from the music reminded me of something I would’ve written for my 1st album, 'Neptune City', and I thought about where I was back then. The toxic love affair. And tying it into who and where I am now, and being able to write a song about terrible love from a place of power. Some would call it growth. I’m just still in love with the sound of heartache. It gets me like no other”.

"Drama" was recorded live over 4 days in Nashville, with Wilco’s Pat Sansone serving as the set’s producer. According to the album’s release statement, “Drama" sees Atkins exploring the isolation, separation and loneliness of a long distance marriage through her signature fusion of musical genres and intimate lyrical songcraft. The album came together at the behest of her close friend and touring partner Chris Isaak, who signed her to Sun Records as part of his strategic alliance with the historic label as both artist and curator of new projects with his new imprint, Wicked Game Records. "Drama" spans style and era with smart design and an irrepressible buoyancy, from the girl group rush of "Trippin’ On Teardrop" and the Memphis soul styled "For No One" to the James Bond meets Stevie Nicks noir of “Danny” and the wonderfully moody duet with Isaak, "Cue The Symphony".

“I’ve been in love with Nicole’s songs for many years and have always followed her career”, Isaak offered alongside the album’s release. “She and I are so simpatico when it comes to the music that inspires us, and she has a unique way of distilling that into her songwriting. She’s a true craftsman and an incredible singer. When it came time to start the label, she was my first thought. I’m so honored that she’s the label’s 1st signing, and I love 'Drama'!”

In addition to members of Atkins’ touring band, guitarist John Paul Keith and drummer Danny Banks, the set features contributions from Sansone, Doctor Dog’s Eric Slick, The Texas Gentlemen’s Dan Creamer and Scottish troubadour Davey Horne.

“I’m not trying to rehash or celebrate some bygone era”, Atkind adds in her statement. “I’m just taking what I like melodically from the past, and channeling it into my songs. I like to make them deeply personal. The question I come back to is, 'how do I make this sound exactly like me'?”